DeTomaso Mailing List: February 1997, Message #88
     



From: ingate@shiseis.com (Shane F. Ingate)

Subject: Re: Tyres

Date: Thu, 13 Feb 97 11:08:21 PST



> What size tyres are you running on the front?  (And are

> you on an 8" rim there?)

> Had you considered the Yokohama AVS Intermediates?

> Thanks,

> Jim



Jim,



I'm running 8"x15" Campys up front, with 225/50 BFG Euro-T/A's.

There is a lot of good rubber in this size range (probably because the

Mustang lads use this size).  However I dont like mixing front

and rear compounds, so I guess I'm "stuck" with BFG.



As for the Yoko's, they sound nice, but cost twice as much

as the BFG's.  Also, I've owned a Pantera for 2 years only, and

have a few more *goodies* on my wish list before I spend $$$ in tyres.



In addition, the jury's not in on whether huge amounts of

super-soft rubber on the road is a good idea for Panteras.  The new

sticky rubber means that adhesion limits are pushed way up, but that

means reaction time is reduced when they do start to slide.  I've been

suprized several times when the BFG's "let go", and the resulting surge

of adrenalin was the only thing that allowed me to catch it before it

got too far.  I may not be so lucky with sticky rubber (or would I?).

Nevertheless, I intend to put in some track time to figure out what my

limits are!



There are a lot of people who do put track time on their

Panteras and they will be far more knowledgeable than I.  I hope that

they can add their contributions to this group.



Having said that, I'll probably stick with 15" rims, because

I like the period look of all that rubber, rather than a few layers

of black Scotch tape wrapped around a huge rim.  Mind you, if someone

*offered* to give me a set of Wilkinson rims & rubber, I would'nt

say no!





Shane Ingate in San Diego